Ovechkin Suspended For 2 Games For Knee Hit On Gleason

Washington Capitals' left winger Alexander Ovechkin was suspended Wednesday for two games after a review of the play by NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell for an apparent deliberate attempt to injure Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason in the Hurricanes-Capitals game last Monday. Ovechkin received a 5 minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct for the hit (check the video above) and it looked like he also injured himself while delivering the knee on knee to Gleason. Ovechkin was on for several minutes after the hit and needed assistance to leave the ice surface.

Ovechkin also received a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct early in the 3rd period of last Wednesday's game against the Buffalo Sabres when he ran Sabres' right winger Patrick Kaleta into the boards. that combined with the fine Ovechkin incurred earlier in the season makes him a "repeat offender" which means further transgressions could be met with higher fines and penalties for the Capitals' sniper.

Well known for his aggressive play, Ovechkin has refused to tone down his play and has been quoted as stating that this "may just make him more aggressive" and his style of rough play combined with a tremendous knack for scoring has made the 24-year-old Russian one of the NHL's biggest draws. His own coach, Bruce Boudreau, has described Ovechkin's hardhitting style as "pretty reckless."

Despite missing 6 games earlier this season with a shoulder injury, Ovechkin has 18 goals and 30 points in the 21 games he has appeared for Washington. The Capitals have him listed as day-to-day because of the knee injury he suffered in the incident, and might have missed the games anyway as he recovered. Carolina's Gleason was able to return after the hit.